The End of Charm School

I just couldn't resist. I had to see them all together in one picture. And I've pasted their names and links in case you missed a post.


1. Poise
2. Finesse
3. Charity
4. Serenity
5. Perseverance
6. Devotion
7. Enthusiasm
8. Modesty

extra credit (I don't know why I didn't name this one??)

Here's what I learned from Summer Charm School:

• I LOVE seeing them all together at the end and remembering what I learned -- which was a lot. I feel like I accomplished my original goal of getting to know some of those dusty books on my shelves and actually getting some stitching done while Jack was home this Summer. Once a week was a good idea and was manageable.
• I learned that finishing the bits of needlework into little charms took the most time. Next time, I might come up with a simpler charm idea -- All charms would be the same size cloth rectangles, for example, this might simplify things a bit...or, I might do a summer sampler and forget the whole charm idea...
  
• I fell in love with stumpwork all over again. I really enjoy this technique because it combines so many types of needlework.
• I did not enjoy whitework one bit. I enjoy pulled work better I think. Plus, I didn't have the right supplies for whitework...
  
• It was a lot of work to gather the supplies for one technique and then use completely different supplies the next week -- this made for extra prep and clean up time. Next time, I might explore multiple books within one technique and spend the entire Summer on goldwork or stumpwork, for example...
• The deadline every week worked for me. I was successful in spending lots of time with Jack but at the same time, the structure of having to post something every Tuesday was very helpful.

Which are my most/least favorite charms?? Least favorite, by far, is Charity. I'm sorry, Charity, but I just see my mistakes when I look at this little charm. And, I didn't like how I finished that charm. In hindsight, I wish I had made it into a small puffed heart shape...

My most favorites are much harder because I like many of them -- but that's a cop out -- so, my most favorites are Devotion, Serenity and Modesty, in that order.

Devotion because I loved working with the tiny beads and exploring the Berlinwork patterns...and the finished charm just really works for me.

I love Serenity because it's inside the seashell and I think that turned out beautifully. I could see shells used in lots of creative ways with needlework to make charms...hmmm...

And, the only reason that Modesty is my third favorite is because I don't like the flower floating on the piece of lace but I LOVE the flower itself.

So, there you have it. My top three faves and my least fave...I put a poll on the sidebar so we could see which one you liked best. I am curious what you all think...and I fixed the poll so you could vote for more than one!

Now, what to do with them??

I think I'm heading to Finishing School to learn how to make them into necklaces. In my head, I imagine putting them together in groups of three and making three different multi-media necklaces from them...

But, I have no idea how to make jewelry and necklaces...so, I guess there's no choice but more schooling...Finishing School that is. I just have to find some books, websites and magazines that can teach me the basics.

Thanks to all of you for following Summer Charm School and for all of your comments along the way. Your attendance and encouragement made my Summer of stitching lots more exciting...